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Meet the Candidates | City Council Forum
Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations (CONO) hosted a Candidate forum for City Council and School Board candidates on March 8th, 2023. Each candidate was allowed an opening & closing statement, plus 2 minutes to answer each question. There was limited time for questions, so many of them were not a
Mar 10, 2023Schools need to succeed for everything else to succeed | Hannah Wolfe
Hannah Wolfe says "I love this community" and that the "School Board is the cornerstone of everything good that happens in this community. We can't succeed without the school succeeding." She's focused on improving the school district's reputation to increase the tax base and furthering programs lik
Mar 09, 2023You've gotta have heart or you can't do your job right | Pat McDaniel
Pat McDaniel's says he's a good pick for City Council because he has previous experience on council, was born and raised in Decatur, is on a couple boards, and says he makes a point of "Knowing what's going on. I keep my ear to the ground." This is a recap of a March 3rd interview on WAND for Pat Mc
Mar 09, 2023Lisa Gregory for City Council 2023 | Decatur, Illinois
Policy Positions Public Safety: Pro-police. "There's absolutely no doubt that every member sitting at this table supports our officers, and we have done our best to show that to you," said Councilwoman Lisa Gregory in July 2021. Cannabis Dispensaries: Opposed to having Cannabis Dispensaries in Deca
Mar 09, 2023Read DPS Staff's email, pleading for drastic safety measures
In a video clip of the February 14th School Board meeting, DPS Superintendent Dr. Rochelle Clark said she had received a "very concerning" email from one of the staff. Read the full email (pdf download) Clark said the district needs help from parents and community members to address fighting and dis
Mar 07, 2023Lisa Gregory's Platform for 2023 City Council
"When I initially ran for the city council, I did not run on a platform that focused on a specific issue(s), but simply on the idea that I wanted to make decisions that would positively impact our community. The same holds true for my re-election efforts this year." Answers were provided by Lisa Gre
Mar 07, 2023Misty Fronk concerned about student proficiency rates
Misty Fronk is running for Decatur School Board because she went to an event hosted by the Illinois Family Institute (IFI) and was told that Illinois schools had a graduation rate of 80% in 2019, but only 12% of students were proficient in reading & writing and 6% of students were proficient in math
Mar 07, 2023Mark Reynolds for School Board 2023 | Decatur, Illinois
Mark Reynolds would like to: Focus on reading, math, and science. Pass policy to have "No cell phones in classrooms." Engage parents in student education Get more volunteers to help out at schools, such as to teach reading. "stop socially advancing children that aren't ready to advance." "We need t
Mar 07, 2023Misty Fronk for School Board 2023 | Decatur, Illinois
Misty Fronk would like to: Get student proficiency in math & reading up to 60% or 70%. Proficiency rates in 2019 were 11.3% in English & 8.9% in math, according to SAT tests. "give [kids] a voice" Sit down with any parents, teachers, or students who have concerns to bring to the School Board. Devel
Mar 07, 2023Election News Recap for March 3rd
This week's recap just captures election-related news and highlights a couple noteable articles. Comprehensive weekly news recaps will return soon, but right now our priority is candidate and election information. We're working on a comprehensive Voter's Guide, which will be available mid-March. End
Mar 03, 2023Mark Reynolds focused on math, reading, and science
Mark Reynolds is running for School Board because he thinks he can make a bigger impact as an elected official than as a substitue teacher in the schools, according to his WAND interview. He says he read a Wall Street Journal editorial "a couple months ago" that "really had [him] quite, quite upset"
Mar 03, 2023Marcy A Rood for County Board 2022 | Macon County, Illinois
I sent Marcy Rood a questionnaire prior the the 2022 election. Here are her answers: In your words, what does the County Board do? The County Board is responsible for many programs and departments that have a major impact on local life - we oversee the construction and maintenance of county bridges
Mar 03, 2023A week of news | Feb 24, Decatur
Akorn is ending all U.S. operations, including two Decatur Facilities. Four candidates withdraw from Macon County Races. Early voting begins. City Council opposes new TIF District legislation. Masks are now optional at the Health Department. Lake Decatur gets updated rules, fees, and permits. Tax in
Feb 24, 2023Jalynn Walker withdraws from School Board Race
Jalynn Walker believes DPS 61 "needs accountability!" and has withdrawn from the race because she does not feel she will be able to "put her best foot forward" and be one of those accountable members, due to unforeseen circumstances at this time. Jalynn says her time is split between focusing on her
Feb 24, 2023Who is Bill Clevenger?
Bill Clevenger is a candidate for Decatur School Board in the 2023 race. He previously served as the Executive Director of the Decatur Park District from 1988 until 2021. View his 2023 Candidate Profile
Feb 23, 2023Wayne Dunning for School Trustees - Richland Community College 2023 | Decatur, Illinois
Pastor Wayne Dunning writes: "I first ran in 1993 and have been on the Board since then. I have always wanted to be a voice for those who feel they aren't being heard. I want the makeup of the faculty and staff to reflect the makeup of the College district. I have always believed that the community
Feb 23, 2023Bill Clevenger for School Board 2023 | Decatur, Illinois
Why are you running for School Board? Bill Clevenger writes: "My wife Candi and I have made Decatur home for 35 years. Our four sons all graduated from MacArthur High School. My thirty-four year tenure as Executive Director of Decatur Park District began in March 1988 and ended with retirement in Se
Feb 23, 2023Donate to Will Wetzel
To Donate to Will Wetzel's campaign for School Board, use one of the following: Act Blue Paypal Venmo Cashapp: $Friendsofwillwetzel
Feb 22, 2023Vote By Mail
To Vote by Mail, you must request your ballot, fill it out, then mail it to or drop it off at the County Building. Please read & follow the instructions that came with your ballot. Get Your Ballot You can use the Vote By Mail application that was mailed to you, download the application yourself, or
Feb 21, 2023Early Voting
Early Voting in Decatur, Illinois Election day is April 4th, 2023, and you can vote early between February 23rd and April 3rd at the County Building, at 141 S Main St, room 119. Early Voting Hours | 2023 Consolidated Election 8:30am-4:30pm, on business days: Thursday Feb 23 & Friday Feb 24 Monday
Feb 21, 2023School Trustees - Richland Community College 2023 | Decatur, Illinois
"Richland Community College is governed by an eight-member Board of Trustees. Seven of the Trustees are elected on staggered, six-year terms by registered voters within the Richland District. The eighth member is a Student Trustee that is elected for a one-year term by fellow students." - src: [ric
Feb 21, 2023School Trustees - Regional Board #39 2023 | Decatur, Illinois
Macon-Piatt Regional Office of Education #39, School Board of Trustees. There are no candidates for ROE #39. There are a total of 6 seats available. There are 2 six-year terms, 2 four-year unexpired terms, and 2 two-year unexpired terms. See [ROE #39 Topic](/story/roe39-maconpiatt-school-trust
Feb 21, 2023Park District Commissioner 2023 | Decatur, Illinois
Information coming soon
Feb 21, 2023Mayor 2023 | Decatur, Illinois
Information coming soon.
Feb 21, 2023School Board 2023 | Decatur, Illinois
Vote for UP TO 3 candidates.
Feb 21, 2023City Council 2023 | Decatur, Illinois
The City Council governs the City of Decatur. Vote for UP TO 3 candidates.
Feb 21, 2023Decatur Weekly Recap | Feb 17, 2023
This week we cover Will Wetzel for School Board, leadership changes in the Health Department, an ADM Strike, fighting at Decatur Schools, and the City Council agenda. The Council agenda includes a report on the budget, a resolution regarding TIF Districts, new spending contracts with businesses, and
Feb 17, 2023Polling Places
Your polling place is where you go to cast your ballot on election day. Your polling place is listed on both your Vote By Mail application and your Voter Information card, both pictured above. You can also also look up your polling place by your address. You can download a list of polling places fro
Feb 16, 2023Will Wetzel - Everything has to start with student learning and student outcomes
"I am running for School Board because I believe in accountability, transparency, and always putting students first," says Decatur School Board candidate Will Wetzel. "I believe in the power of public education. I believe that we can do better for our students, and everything has to start with stude
Feb 14, 2023Hannah Wolfe for School Board 2023 | Decatur, Illinois
Hannah's Website says she's running because: "We have a lot of good things going on in Decatur, but none of them can succeed unless we have a good foundation. Public education is the cornerstone to our future workforce, future leaders, and future successes. I love this community, and hope to use my
Feb 14, 2023